Free toy loan at Bury libraries

Date published: 28/01/2010

A huge range of toys awaits youngsters who want to have fun and improve their learning at the same time.

Bury library service has provided a toy loan service for a number of years.

It was set up to help families with young children following Government research which found that children who were given educational toys, work with their carer/parent on the alphabet, were taught nursery rhymes or pay visits to libraries do better than their peers by the time they are three and when they start school.

The toy library offers a quality service with products aimed at children up to five years old. The toys can be borrowed for up to three weeks and there are different toy categories such as sand and water, pretend play, construction, early years, numeracy, literacy, sensory and manipulative skills, physical play, music and arts and crafts.

Adult library members can take out a maximum of eight toys on their membership card, while children can borrow up to four toys on their membership.

The toy library is based at Unsworth Library where visitors can browse the selection. Alternatively, items can be ordered from home using the on-line library catalogue system or from any of the branches.